The show was created by Mae Martin, who also stars alongside Toni Collette, and explores a troubled teen institute called Tall Pines Academy. Courtesy of NetflixWayward explores a so-called "therapeutic" school in Vermont known as Tall Pines Academy that "helps" troubled youth. She was taken over the border and handcuffed in the middle of the night, and she was gone for two years," Martin told Forbes. Although the school is fictional, Martin told Tudum that it is inspired by "one of these troubled teen institutes" attended by their best friend. During their conversation with Forbes, Martin emphasized that Tall Pines Academy is not a literal depiction of the real-life schools that exist.